Microsoft

Microsoft has released a yet another anti-iPad ad, this time awkwardly trying to make fun of the iPad mini by putting it up against what everyone on Twitter tells me is the worst period Windows period tablet period in the world period - the Acer Iconia W3.

It isn't every day that something on Windows Phone has us green with envy, but since its big unveil, Halo: Spartan Assault has given us a case of the green-eyed monster. However, since taking possession of a Nokia Lumia 925 – more on that soon – and a copy of the game, one thing is clear; I really hope Microsoft gets this out on other platforms for everyone to play.

Last week during their earnings report, Microsoft reported a $900 million write-down in relation to unsold Surface RT inventory. It's just over a year since the Surface RT launched, and yet despite continual efforts from Microsoft, including iPad baiting commercials, things don't seem to be going so well.

Microsoft has released OWA for iPhone and iPad, letting users access their Outlook email, calendars, and contacts. These apps are enhanced versions of the Outlook Web App, with added functionality for iOS devices, including voice actions and the ability to receive push notifications. The OWA apps also require that your mailbox has been updated to the latest version of Office 365 in order to work.

Another day, another iWatch competitor rumor, this time coming from Microsoft. Rumors already suggest that both Google is developing a competitor to the unannounced Apple smartwatch, as is Samsung, among others, and now it's reportedly time for the folks from Redmond to get in on the act. A Microsoft watch would no doubt compete directly with the rumored devices from Apple and Google, and it's said to be being internally tested running a modified version of Windows 8.

Microsoft has taken another step forward with its Xbox Music service by launching the much rumored web player, though any iOS app is still very much absent. With a web client now active, it means that Mac using Xbox Music subscribers, of which we're sure there's a few, can listen to their music. Until now, only Windows users had been able to get their music on their desktops.

Microsoft continues to show its iOS portfolio some attention with todays launch of a major update to their OneNote application for iPhone and iPad. Following the — albeit limited — launch of Office for iOS, OneNote has been redesigned from the ground up with a mostly new codebase and a new, cleaner interface that is more consistent across platforms, as well as a more consistent, rich editing experience.

Seems like of late not a week passes without some form of event, and this week it's back over to Microsoft with their annual Build developer conference. Microsoft does make some stuff for the Mac and iOS devices, and likewise a lot of iOS users are also Windows users, so there's plenty of interest to look out for. Though, some of us are just hoping for a typically energetic performance from Steve Ballmer.

Microsoft is reportedly planning on bringing a number of Xbox and PC titles to the iPhone starting later this year. According to a report on Reuters, Microsoft is collaborating with Japanese developer Klab Inc. in order to bring these games to their competitor's platforms.

Combined worldwide shipments of smartphones, tablets, and traditional computers are set to grow 5.9% this year, almost completely on the strength of tablets and smartphones, both of which are seeing users trend towards less-expensive devices. Shipments of traditional PCs, desktops and notebooks, will continue to decline as those of mobile devices, particularly smartphones, pick up steam.